New Hampshire Bulletin

02/03/2025

Democratic members of Congress were denied entry Monday to the U.S. Agency for International Development, after billionaire Elon Musk, empowered by President Donald Trump, worked to close the nation’s humanitarian arm.

02/03/2025

Commentary from Gail Garceau and Alisa Druzba of the New Hampshire Children's Health Foundation: "Public investment in children and families is 'prevention,' and we all know what lack of it costs in the long term on the other end."

As the biannual state budget debate unfolds, Gov. Kelly Ayotte and legislative leaders are signaling anticipated declines in state and federal revenues. This will necessitate belt-tightening across sectors, impacting agencies, schools, and services reliant on public funding. As we all know, expectat...

02/03/2025

After November saw Republicans take control of the White House and both chambers of Congress, proponents of Medicaid fear that funding for the program could be on the chopping block. From William Skipworth

After November saw Republicans take control of the White House and both chambers of Congress, proponents of Medicaid fear that funding for the program could be on the chopping block.

02/02/2025

“There’s a huge weight lifted off our shoulders. The phones are out of sight, and everyone knows it." Proposed student cellphone ban builds momentum in New Hampshire State House and school districts. From Ethan DeWitt

This year, some lawmakers are hoping to pass a law restricting cellphones in schools across the state.

02/02/2025

“Every bill that comes before ... this committee is important ... but not all of them are urgent. This one is urgent.” With "trash juice" bill, lawmakers seek safer management of landfill leachate. From Claire Sullivan https://buff.ly/3WDOmOi

02/02/2025

“The symptoms just kept coming and they kept getting worse. And nobody could tell me if they were gonna keep getting worse, if it was gonna eventually plateau." For New Hampshire's long COVID patients, the virus' impact continues. From William Skipworth

Long COVID is defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as a chronic condition that occurs after COVID-19 infection and is present for at least three months. For thousands in New Hampshire, the battle continues.

02/01/2025

“The withdrawal of HB 476 allows the legislature to refocus its efforts on other legislation." Republican lawmaker pulls 15-week abortion ban proposal. From William Skipworth

Rep. Katy Peternel, a Wolfeboro Republican, announced Monday she was requesting to withdraw her proposed 15-week abortion ban.

02/01/2025

“What I do know is that 70% of my budget is funded either directly or as passed through the state of New Hampshire from federal funds.” Federal funding freeze sets off confusion and fear in New Hampshire. From Ethan DeWitt, William Skipworth, and Claire Sullivan. https://buff.ly/4aT8TVn

02/01/2025

"We are talking about chemicals that were man-made, that were put into our environment, that impacted innocent people ..." Those harmed by ‘forever chemicals’ have six years to sue in New Hampshire. Lawmakers want more time. From Claire Sullivan https://buff.ly/4jyrKbX

02/01/2025

A federal district judge issued a temporary restraining order on Friday, blocking the Trump administration from moving forward with a proposed spending freeze on grants and loans.

WASHINGTON — A federal district judge issued a temporary restraining order on Friday, blocking the Trump administration from moving forward with a proposed spending freeze on grants and loans. Chief Judge John J. McConnell Jr. of the U.S. District Court in Rhode Island wrote in the 13-page ruling ...

02/01/2025

President Donald Trump plans to implement tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China on Saturday, potentially starting off a trade war that would likely lead to price increases on groceries and numerous other products.

01/31/2025

The Senate approved a bill Thursday that would allocate $12 million per year in state funding to nonprofits providing services to homeless people, amid concerns that municipal budgets are strained and shelters are struggling. From Ethan DeWitt

The Senate approved a bill Thursday that would allocate $12 million per year in state funding to nonprofits providing services to homeless people, amid concerns that municipal budgets are strained and shelters are struggling.

01/31/2025

The AI behind newer police identification tactics is controversial, and instances of false arrests and privacy concerns are drawing lawmakers’ attention in states across the nation. From Paige Gross

The AI behind newer police identification tactics is controversial, and instances of false arrests and privacy concerns are drawing lawmakers’ attention.

01/31/2025

“There are things that we can’t send into Massachusetts, Vermont, or Maine that we do actually take in return, because they have regulations in place that we do not." New Hampshire lawmakers push for moratorium on new landfills until 2030. From Claire Sullivan

House Bill 171 would prohibit the Department of Environmental Services from permitting a new landfill in the state until 2030.

01/31/2025

Commentary from Dr. Maris Toland: "It is absolutely impossible for a piece of legislation to account for the myriad situations in which an induced abortion is the safest medical option among a list of terrible options." https://buff.ly/40Cz7GT

01/31/2025

"I think if the end is coming and I’m really in great pain or distress that I ought to have that option.” To live or die: Hearing on assisted su***de bill draws powerful testimony on both sides of issue. From William Skipworth https://buff.ly/40zKnDP

01/31/2025

“It’s our responsibility to the residents of New Hampshire to make it known that the only immigration that New Hampshire welcomes is legal immigration." Senate Republicans pass anti-sanctuary city bill as House considers similar bill. https://buff.ly/4jCSzvG

01/30/2025

“These chemicals, put there by this company, are going to impact our town forever." Those harmed by "forever chemicals" have six years to sue in New Hampshire. Lawmakers want more time. From Claire Sullivan https://buff.ly/4jyrKbX